Patna: A Bandh (shutdown) was observed by Hindu organisations over demolition of temples located near railway station in Muzaffarpur on March 21. The shutdown was impactful in the first half of the day.
This comes after the administration on March 10 removed two temples near the station premises as part of the massive renovation work being carried out at the railway station under the Amrit Bharat scheme.
The decision however sparked a protest, with local Hindu activists demanding reconstruction of the temples at the original place. A Bandh was called over the issue on Friday by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindu outfits during which a procession was also taken out.
The procession opposing the removal of the temples began on Friday morning and passed through the market area before reaching Kalyani Chowk amidst tightened security. The demonstrators were seen with banners, opposing the action taken by the railway administration.
Demanding the restoration of the said temple at its original place, VHP District President Sandeep Singh stated, “The temple was demolished in the name of development, but it must be rebuilt.”
#WATCH | Bihar | Members of different Hindu organisations, including Vishva Hindu Parishad, today held a protest against the alleged demolition of a temple built on the premises of Muzaffarpur railway station by railway authorities; Police force deployed in the area.
"We demand… pic.twitter.com/Q4aYaLKlWq
— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2025
Meanwhile over 600 police personnel were deployed at multiple locations in view of maintaining law and order. Railway Protection Force and GRP personnel were also alerted at the railway station. Security of a mosque located near the railway track was also beefed up.
Those protesting questioned the action taken by the administration, citing that while the temples were demolished for the ongoing development project, the mosque located near the railway tracks was left untouched. They also demanded the return of the idols installed in the temples.
मुजफ्फरपुर में मंदिर हटाने के विरोध में बंद, दुकानों में लटका ताला, अब रेलवे ट्रैक के बीच बनी मस्जिद हटाने की मांग तेज#Muzaffarpur #Masjid #Temple | #ZeeNews @pratyushkkhare @jhapras pic.twitter.com/N2aO3aR8DB
— Zee News (@ZeeNews) March 21, 2025
The protestors later gathered near the railway station and held a Hanuman Chalisa Paath at the premises. They further demanded that the administration should allocate land for the construction of the temple. The protestors dispersed peacefully after officials assures them about finding an amicable solution to the issue.
